ICC decision to investigate Israel is “the climax” of the PA’s efforts, says senior Fatah official
Official PA TV program Topic of the Day
Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub: “First, [the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to investigate Israel] is the climax of the efforts that the Palestinian National Authority, the [PA] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mechanisms of the state, and the [PA] presidential institutions have invested over the years that have passed, and now we are picking the fruits of this effort that has meanings and messages. The first message to the Israelis is that your continued contempt for international legitimacy and human rights, and your continued belittling of international law and international conventions, with cover from [former US President Donald] Trump or someone else. I think that this matter has ended. For our part, we will cooperate with the court that will work on three levels: the level of the crimes that were committed against the civilians, and particularly in 2014 in the Gaza Strip (i.e., the 2014 Gaza war); the second level is the level of the prisoners and detainees; and the third level is the level of the settlements. And this [ICC decision to investigate] is itself recognition that this official terror that the occupation institutions are committing – today it obligated [them] to be accountable, and we hope that the international community, part of which has rewarded Israel both with silence and encouragement, will reexamine [its position] and allow the criminals to receive their punishment. We view this step as an opening towards giving us rights and doing justice with us. Of course for our part, we will be subjected to pressures and threats, but we are adhering to our right to put on trial those who committed war crimes against us, against our people, against our land, against our sacred things during the years of occupation. The world needs to know and understand that its silence or support are what have created the racist and fascist regime of the 21st century.”
[Official PA TV, Topic of the Day, March 3, 2021]
ICC Decision on Prosecuting Israelis (2021) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it was launching an investigation against Israel on March 3, 2021, after the pre-trial chamber of the ICC issued a decision on Feb. 5, 2021, granting the ICC jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Israelis for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The decision came despite the fact that Israel is not a member of the ICC, and there is no “State of Palestine.” Nevertheless, the PA has been a member of the ICC - a right otherwise reserved for states - since 2015. The ICC’s decision also opens the possibility of prosecution of Palestinians who have committed such crimes against Israelis.